Activity
With a partner, write down as many down as many synonyms of 'beautiful' and 'ugly' as you can think of.
Discuss with your partner the meaning of the two words, and then try and write a formal definition. As you progress through the learning activities contained in this resource pack, see if your definition changes.
Discuss with your partner the meaning of the two words, and then try and write a formal definition. As you progress through the learning activities contained in this resource pack, see if your definition changes.
Defining Ugliness
To fully understand the meaning of 'ugly' it is useful to first define its antonym - beauty. 'Beauty' is a term we are all familiar with and can be used to describe everything from fashion models and architecture, to pieces of literature and experiences. Dictionary.com defines it as:
'The quality present in a thing or person that gives intense pleasure or deep satisfaction to the mind, whether arising from sensory manifestations (as shape, color, sound, etc.), a meaningful design or pattern, or something else (as a personality in which high spiritual qualities are manifest).'
How then, do we define ugly? Ugliness is often defined as being the opposite of beauty, and like beauty, is a quality that we identify in a number of different scenarios. Dictionary.com defines it as:
1. very unattractive or unpleasant to look at; offensive to the sense of beauty; displeasing in appearance.
2. disagreeable; unpleasant; objectionable: ugly tricks; ugly discords.
3. morally revolting: ugly crime. 4. threatening trouble or danger: ugly symptoms.
5. mean; hostile; quarrelsome: an ugly mood; an ugly frame of mind.
Both words tie directly to our evaluation of visual stimulai, and come under the umbrella of aesthetics. They give us labels with which to describe the world around us, and specifically in art, they help us articulate the the interplay between numerable elements, and the overall effect they have on the work.
'The quality present in a thing or person that gives intense pleasure or deep satisfaction to the mind, whether arising from sensory manifestations (as shape, color, sound, etc.), a meaningful design or pattern, or something else (as a personality in which high spiritual qualities are manifest).'
How then, do we define ugly? Ugliness is often defined as being the opposite of beauty, and like beauty, is a quality that we identify in a number of different scenarios. Dictionary.com defines it as:
1. very unattractive or unpleasant to look at; offensive to the sense of beauty; displeasing in appearance.
2. disagreeable; unpleasant; objectionable: ugly tricks; ugly discords.
3. morally revolting: ugly crime. 4. threatening trouble or danger: ugly symptoms.
5. mean; hostile; quarrelsome: an ugly mood; an ugly frame of mind.
Both words tie directly to our evaluation of visual stimulai, and come under the umbrella of aesthetics. They give us labels with which to describe the world around us, and specifically in art, they help us articulate the the interplay between numerable elements, and the overall effect they have on the work.
Questions
What is the difference between a piece of art being pretty and beautiful?
Do you think an art work can be ugly and still be successful? Find an example to support your opinion and reference it in your answer.
Do you think an art work can be ugly and still be successful? Find an example to support your opinion and reference it in your answer.
Definitions
Antonym: A word opposite in meaning to another (e.g., bad and good).
Synonym: A word having the same or nearly the same meaning as another word (e.g., sudden and abrupt).
Synonym: A word having the same or nearly the same meaning as another word (e.g., sudden and abrupt).
